Brits have been warned to brace for holiday hell this summer as Britain's busiest motorway closes in August.
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager for National Highways, announced that the next closure of the M25 is planned for the month of August, but also raised concerns that this will be a 'peak holiday season'.
It will be the third of five weekend closures London ring road as part of a £317 million project to improve Junction 10 this year, and Mr Wade added that they are already working with ports, airports and transport companies to limit damage to holidaymakers.
Normally between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles use the M25 between junctions nine and 11 in each direction, every hour from 10am to 9pm on weekends.
Graph showing disruption to the M25 this weekend from 9pm Friday to 6am Monday
The M25 will be closed in both directions between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey this weekend for the second time this year while concrete beams for a new bridge and gantry are lifted into place. The photo shows previous work on the M25 on March 16, 2024
Heavy traffic on the A320 Sint-Pietersweg crossing the M25 during the closure on March 16
He told the Telegraph: “The next one is scheduled for August. That has yet to be confirmed, but right now it's scheduled for August. Then you are clearly in the high season.'
This comes ahead of the closure of the M25 in both directions between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey this weekend while concrete beams for a new bridge and portal are lifted into place.
While the previous work was described as 'easy' in March, the work expected this weekend will be much more 'complex' and concerns have been raised about more opportunities for things to 'go wrong'.
Drivers will also be forced to take a 20-mile detour – almost double the length of the detour in March.
Mr Wade said: 'The chances of the job lasting longer are considered realistic. Last time we had to demolish a bridge and build a portal. This time [we are] very carefully lifting a total of 72 beams into place.'
While motorists were previously asked to stay home and 'decorate the bathroom or something', state highways are now asking them to do the same again.
Mr Wades said: “Drivers listened to our advice last time, reducing traffic on the motorway by more than two-thirds and keeping delays to a minimum.
'Our advice again is: only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you choose to use the M25.'
Workman on the section of the M25 between junctions ten and 11 in Surrey on March 16 when it was closed in both directions while a bridge was demolished and a new gantry installed
Normally between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles use the M25 between junctions nine and 11 in each direction, every hour from 10am to 9pm on weekends
A closed section of the M25 on March 17 due to work to remove a bridge and install a new gantry
People affected include those traveling to, from and between Britain's two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick.
Last month's closure was the first planned daytime closure of the M25 since it opened in 1986.
The clockwise diversion route, for those traveling from Gatwick towards Heathrow, will see motorists told to leave the M25 at junction eight onto the A217 Reigate.
They should then follow the 'A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston' and after just over three miles turn left onto the 'A240 Epsom, Kingston'.
After three miles they should turn right at the Esso roundabout onto the 'A24 (A240) Kingston', continue for two miles and then turn left onto the 'A3 Portsmouth, Guildford'.
They then have to drive almost ten miles to the M25 and rejoin the motorway at junction ten.
In the other direction, the counter-clockwise diversion route from Heathrow towards Gatwick will see traffic leave the M25 at junction ten to join the A3 towards London.
After almost ten miles at the Hook junction, motorists should leave the A3 and turn right onto the 'A240 Epsom, Reigate'.
They must then continue for three miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the 'A240 Reigate' – before continuing for a further three miles and then turning right onto the 'A217 Reigate, M25'. After just over three miles they turn left to rejoin the M25 at junction eight.
National Highways said it is working with its delivery partner Balfour Beatty Atkins to liaise with emergency services, Surrey County Council, local businesses and Gatwick and Heathrow airports ahead of the next closure.